A partnership involving eight rural school districts in Indiana developed out of the need for a cooperative services organization to communicate with its school board members. A Joint Services Cooperative Committee composed of one or two school board members from each district visits classes, reviews program policies, and keeps fellow board members informed. An annual briefing is held for all board members to review programs, inspect equipment, and meet school personnel. Such a partnership of rural school boards and school personnel expands the board's role from concern with physical and fiscal aspects of schooling to decisions about programs and appreciation of daily instructional needs. The partnership fosters trust, enhances communication, encourages information exchange, reduces levels of stress, instills a sense of participation, presents a positive image to school and community, and is in the students' best interest. Partnerships are often difficult to maintain, require careful personal attention, must preserve line-staff relationships, and must be flexible, open, professional, operational, and comfortable for members. Partnerships represent the best use of local resources and strengthen local education support systems, important steps to improving the quality of rural education. (LFL)